Legislature faces ridicule for latest tuition increase

Sen. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, agrees with most university and college boards of trustees around the state - Michigan needs to reinvest in higher education. Tuition hikes are a direct result of the Legislature's unwillingness to take an interest in the schools, Schauer said. About $26 million was cut from higher education during the 2006-07 school year, Schauer said, and it's not likely to be restored. At an MSU Board of Trustees meeting in July, the trustees agreed tuition hikes directly correlated to a lack of state aid. Universities need to hold the Legislature accountable for tuition increases, Trustee Faylene Owen said at the meeting. With uncertainty about how much schools are receiving, boards are forced to raise tuition to plan for the worst, Schauer said. "That really has forced universities to sort of throw a dart at the dart board without having guidance from the Legislature," he said. A solution to the state's budget crisis, Schauer said, could be a minor increase in the income tax and a broadening of the current 6 percent sales tax to certain high-end luxury services. "The combination of those two things would get us pretty close to where we need to be," he said. The Democrats have no reason to talk about raising taxes, said Matt Marsden, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester. Marsden said Democrats are continuously spending money the state does not have. "The Democrats continue to push for tax increases, but they refuse to accept any support for reforms in government," he said. Until the spending is dealt with, the Republicans and Democrats will have a stalemate, Marsden said. "We don't have a taxing problem, we have a spending problem that needs to be dealt with first," he said. Schauer said the Republicans are "stubbornly adhering to a failed ideology." "We need to step up to the plate and get our budget balanced and quickly in a way that invests in the universities and in colleges, and invests in our work force," he said. When universities cut programs, Schauer said, it makes Michigan less competitive in the job market. Marsden agreed it was unfortunate that higher education had to make some sacrifices. "We certainly support and agree that higher education is essential to moving Michigan into the 21st century," he said. He said the Republicans support an increase to higher education if possible, but won't be able to discuss specifics until they know how much of a state deficit they are dealing with. Schauer said he hopes the state listens to what Gov.

Engineers paying more to earn degree at MSU

I am writing in response to "Cost of school should be same for all" (SN 7/30). Charging engineering students more for tuition has been standard practice at this university for quite some time.

Dantonio seeks to restore team glory

Chicago — First-year head football coach Mark Dantonio wants to bring respect back to the MSU football program.

Your rules are meant to be broken, keep an open mind

The most important thing to keep in mind is that rules are made to be broken. Life is so unpredictable and ironic, the last thing we need is to be tied down to the conformities of society and much less our own fears.

Coaching perks include cars, clubs

When Mark Dantonio became MSU's head football coach, he received more than the role of running a football team. His contract entitled him to two cars, as well as memberships to a local country club and the Michigan Athletic Club. Such perks are offered to only a few people here at the university, MSU spokesman Terry Denbow said. The coaches Denbow is referring to are Dantonio, men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo, head men's ice hockey coach Rick Comley and women's basketball coach Suzy Merchant - all deemed "revenue sports" coaches by Denbow.

SAF should stay out of student cheer sections

My hopes for future generations of MSU students were lifted when I read "SAF to play smaller role without Corner Blitz" (SN 7/30). I always laughed at the name Student Alumni Foundation because anyone involved with the organization knows it is run by its dictator and adviser, Bev VandenBerg. It's been this organization that has systematically taken the spirit out of MSU's spirit sections.

Weight problems

The United States is the fattest nation in the world. Diabetes affects more than 20 million Americans, 90-95 percent of whom have Type 2 diabetes, which is preventable through healthy diet and exercise. The most economical alternatives for a meal are usually fast food franchises which are, by anyone's standards, incredibly unhealthy.

Police briefs 08/01/07

Business college leader resigns

After about six years as the dean of The Eli Broad College of Business, it's time for a change for Robert Duncan. Duncan will step down from his position June 30, 2008. "A big factor in the decision to do it was the continuous uncertainty with the budget crisis in the state and the lack of support for the university," Duncan said. In an e-mail sent to faculty and staff of the College of Business, Duncan said he would have preferred to announce his decision at the fall faculty and staff meeting, but he would like to give the university enough time to put together a search committee for a new dean. After retiring as dean, Duncan said he doesn't plan to go far. He will stay at MSU as a part of the Department of Management and teach courses - something he has done since he began as dean in 2002. "I was disappointed that he wanted to go back to teaching full time," MSU Provost Kim Wilcox said.

Young minds bloom in garden

Families wandered amid the alphabet-labeled plants and the Alice in Wonderland maze while middle and high school students read children's stories in a garden Tuesday.

18 churches to hold day of prayer

The Capital City Community Action Network, or CCCAN, invites the interfaith community to participate in a day of prayer from 7 a.m.

Quixtar does not infringe on entrepreneurs' rights

I am writing in response to the letter "DeVos should serve time for Quixtar scam at MSU" (SN 7/16). This is like asking expert advice about running a restaurant from someone who has never been in the restaurant business, let alone been in any business.

Change in gasoline tax unnecessary

In a state as dependent on automobiles as Michigan, the price of gas will always be an issue of large public concern. Two Michigan representatives are attempting to change the way the state taxes citizens at the pumps.

MSU grad gives gift to College of Nursing

Janice Granger can't get enough of MSU - or nursing. The 1980 MSU graduate began college in 1951, spending three years as a nursing major.

Police briefs 07/31/07

MSU vet hospital debuts new technique

When Wendy Villarreal's border collie injured its knee, a surgical technique offered at MSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital was the perfect fit for her four-legged friend. Jennifer Au, an MSU veterinarian and orthopedic surgeon, has been performing the surgery, called Minimally Invasive Modified Retinacular Imbrication Technique for three months. The technique, which is used to repair dogs' knees, allows Au to make several small incisions in the animals' knee, instead of one large incision, like typical knee surgeries. "It allows us to make a couple small incisions and look through with a fiber optic camera," Au said.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Police searching for suspect in attempted robbery

East Lansing police are looking for information about a man who tried to rob Tasty Twist, 1307 E. Grand River Ave., on July 25. The man tried to enter the back door of the business at around 11:30 p.m., according to a news release.

Businesses prepare for grand opening

Steve Christodoulides has 25 years of restaurant experience under his belt but never before has he opened up an eatery in East Lansing - until now. Christodoulides said people are anxiously awaiting the opening of his new family-owned and operated restaurant, Spartan Gyros, 565 E.

Police patrols return to standard mileage

Expect to see more Michigan State Police troopers patrolling up and down the highway now that the state has lifted mileage restrictions on the troopers. In March, Michigan's Department of Management and Budget, or DMB, forced state police to limit miles driven while on patrol. "Since March, we've reduced patrol by about one million miles." said Shanon Akans, Michigan State Police spokeswoman.

CATA rides to the top, designated best in U.S.

Kendra Hughes doesn't have to worry about being late for work when she waits for the bus. Almost every day, she waits for the Capital Area Transportation Authority bus to make its stop on Grand River Avenue near Division Street. The 21-year-old marketing senior at Spring Arbor University is living in East Lansing and relies on the bus to get to and from work - something she said she wouldn't be able to do in her hometown of Baltimore. "(In Baltimore), it's a free-for-all," she said.